How albinos can protect themselves from skin cancer

“When I observed that my skin was reddish, I simply applied some ointment thinking it’s the remedy.  I thought it was just a common wound. But then, it turned out to be a boil” he said.But he’s an albino, and his boils were to get worse.“While I was trying to treat it, it escalated. So, […]

“When I observed that my skin was reddish, I simply applied some ointment thinking it’s the remedy.  I thought it was just a common wound. But then, it turned out to be a boil” he said.
But he’s an albino, and his boils were to get worse.
“While I was trying to treat it, it escalated. So, I went to the hospital where it was diagnosed as cancer” he said.
Albinos are susceptible to sun burns that can lead to cancer. It is a major challenge, from even 10 minutes of exposure to the sun.
Philip underwent a major surgery in 2011 at the National Hospital through the federal government’s assistance funds for albino patients.
Though the surgery was successful, the small boils coming out on his  body are now the problem. There are multiples of them on his body now.  “Though I am on chemotherapy. I was told I will have up to six chemotherapy sessions to wipe out the dead cells and I will get better,” Philip explained.
Philip’s brother, Adamu is going through a similar experience as well. He has a tumour in his shoulder which has become cancerous. He has had two chemo sessions so far and he is going for the third one.
Their nephew, Charles, also an albino said maintaining a cancer patient is not easy.
“We don’t pay for the treatment, but sometimes the drugs needed for their treatment is not available so we go outside and buy. Also, for every chemo therapy their blood level drops, so we have to go out and get blood for them to be transfused. Having a cancer patient is not easy to maintain. The drug for one chemotherapy could be up to N50,000,” Charles said.
Charles said this makes prevention better than cure. “The major preventive measure is for albinos to keep away from the sun. Before I go out, I look at the weather, if it’s hot, I stay back” he said.
Mr Jake Epelle, president of Albino Foundation explains: “The sun is the 99.5% cause of skin cancer.  There is nothing anyone with albinism can do under the sun that will equal the cost of being under the sun.  For instance an albino who is begging, no amount of money he/she will get will cure skin cancer.”
The simple structure of the skin is key to why albinos are vulnerable to skin cancer, says Dr M.B Danmallam, a dermatologist/venereologist and CEO of Prima Derma Lounge.
“The skin is structured in a way that it has melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives us our complexion. One of its responsibilities is to protect the skin from the effect of the sun. Having this background, you will know that whoever has less melanin, will have less protection. In people with albinism, they have congenital defect/inherent congenital reduction/absence of this pigment (melanin), this predisposes them to the effect of the sun and other things.
“Melanin protects and deflects the sun. So if you have a lower level of melanin, the sun will have more effect on you and the sun is destructive, it dries the skin, it predisposes the skin to cancer and that is why these people (albinos) are more prone to cancers,” he said.”
Dr Danmallam further explains ways in which people with albinism can protect themselves:  “Because of their condition, it is very logical for albinos to use something that protects them from the sun. So the sunscreen will help reduce the effect of the sun on the skin and help reduce consequences that the effect would have brought on the skin.
“ Also, they have to cover themselves up, stay away from the sun as much as possible. And you know, it’s not just the skin that is affected but also the eyes, so they should wear sun shade when stepping out,” Danmallam added.
So, how do albinos earn a living if they have to stay indoors and not go out in the sun? Epelle says the foundation will soon come up with some programmes which will enable them acquire skills and set up their own enterprises.
“There are a lot of things albinos can do indoors. As a foundation we are trying to find skills and enterprises for them, in the next couple of months we are rolling out co-operative societies that will be nation-wide. It’s not every venture you do under the sun.  There are things you do indoors,” Epelle explaind.
Charles agrees to this and advises that albinos should use their talents and not limit themselves. “I am happy being an albino because I am a bundle of talent.
There is no difference except in colour. In intellectual activity, I think I am meeting up.  I play instruments in my church, I am a painter; I am an electrician, just to mention but few. I see some albinos and they limit themselves to certain works, and people get the concept that albinos cannot do certain things but beg. I have to prove them wrong,” he said.